Momo Sissoko has spoken of his dream of leading Mali to African Nations Cup glory over the coming weeks.
You have to go back to 1972 for Mali's only previous appearance in a final, when they lost 3-2 to Congo.
Sissoko is dreaming of one better this time round when the tournament gets underway in Ghana on January 20.
He told LFC Magazine: "If you go all the way to the final it could be six weeks away from your club, but less of course if you don't progress through the group stage.
"It will be hard to leave the club to go to the African Nations and it may not be a good time for Liverpool because we have a lot of games in January.
"But I do want to play in the African Nations Cup.
"Of course, I will have a discussion with the manager before I go to make sure everything is okay.
"As I say, though, I would like to go as it was not easy for Mali to get to Ghana. Our last game was in Togo and we needed to win to qualify. This was a very big game and we got through.
"The people of Mali were delighted and everybody there is excited about us having reached the finals.
"It is a big thing for myself, and Mali as a country to be there, and I would love to help us achieve success in Ghana."
Despite the loss of Sissoko, Liverpool are getting off lightly compared to some of their rivals.
Arsenal, for example, lose defensive rock Kolo Toure plus Emmanuel Eboue and Alex Song, while Chelsea will have to do without Mikel, Michael Essien, Saloman Kalou and Didier Drogba.
Everton, too, will suffer, as Nigerian pair Joseph Yobo and Yakubu head off, not to mention the talented Stephen Pienaar.
Then there's Pompey, whose fight for a UEFA Cup spot will have to go on without Sulley Muntari, Lauren, Kanu, Papa Bouba Diop and John Utaka.
Without undermining his own importance, Sissoko accepts the situation could be worse for Liverpool.
"That's right," he says. "Chelsea will lose Mikel, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba, who are all important players for them.
"Then Portsmouth have four or five players who will be in Ghana, including Papa Bouba Diop, John Utaka and Kanu.
"It will probably be harder for these clubs to cope than here at Liverpool, where I am the only African player."
